Using the Web to Manage Diabetes

You use the Internet to shop, book a vacation and pay your bills – why not to manage your diabetes? Researchers from the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle have tested whether an internet-based program could help people better manage their diabetes.

Do your homework – if you’re living with diabetes you know the internet is full of information. Take some time to learn more about diabetes and how to best manage it. You can also look for healthy recipes, exercise tips and helpful hints on using insulin or blood glucose monitors.

Talk about it – take the opportunity to talk to and learn from others with diabetes by participating in forums (message boards), blogs and social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace). The web is a great place to meet people just like you who are living successfully with diabetes.

The study published in the February 2009 issue of Diabetes Care involved patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were given access to their medical records and the ability to e-mail their healthcare providers. They were also provided with a website featuring educational material, feedback on their blood sugar readings and an interactive diary they could use to track their diet, exercise and medications.

The study subjects were 83 type 2 diabetics who received usual care and the internet intervention or just usual care. To be eligible for the study, individuals had to exhibit poor long-term blood sugar control. All participants had GHb (glycohemoglobin) levels of 7 percent or above.

At the conclusion of the study (1 year later), patients participating in the internet-based program saw an average .7 percent drop in their GHb levels. Overall, 33 percent of participants in the internet-based program had GHb levels below 7 percent while only 11 percent in the usual care group brought their GHb levels down under 7.

Researchers were pleased with the results of the study and noted the relativiely low cost of the internet intervention as compared to other outside-the-office programs. In addition, since many people utilize the internet for numerous other daily needs it was easy to incorporate healthcare management into the mix. The researchers did however caution that many people with diabetes lack access to internet resources therefore it wasn’t a perfect solution for all patient populations.

Do you know the annual cost of managing your diabetes? Would you like to find ways to reduce your costs? Calculate your total budget and identify ways to save money. You can do this in just a few minutes by entering facts about the products you use. This quick analysis will provide you with a comprehensive overview of both spending and potential savings.

Blood glucose monitors offer an easy way to test your blood sugar at home or on the go. Use this comparison tool as a guide to learn more about the features and benefits of your current monitor or to find a new one.

Ever wonder if you are at a healthy weight? Then enter your height and weight in our advanced Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. This tool provides you with two important numbers reflecting the estimated impact of your present body weight and shape upon your overall health.